News December 6, 2021

Rolling Stone Australia reveal their their ‘200 greatest Australian albums of all time’

Image: Dylan Mooney for Rolling Stone Australia; Phil Nitchie*, Cybele Malinowski*, Nabil Elderkin*

Rolling Stone Australia has today answered the question ‘what is the best homegrown record?’, announcing their full list of the 200 Greatest Australian Albums of all Time for their latest issue, in partnership with the world’s leading sound experience company, Sonos.

Topping the list is AC/DC’s iconic 1980 album Back in Black, which was written, recorded, and released just months after the death of frontman Bon Scott. Career defining albums by John Farnham, Cold Chisel, Silverchair, Crowded House, Savage Garden, Kylie Minogue, Tame Impala, 5 Seconds of Summer and Dr G. Yunupingu also appear in the Top 20.

Released today, the new double-length issue features a special edition cover illustrated by proud Yuwi, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander artist Dylan Mooney, and underlines the homegrown nature of all the amazing albums discussed throughout the issue.

Rolling Stone Australia Editor Tyler Jenke said Australia has some of the world’s greatest music.

“It’s been an amazing experience to go in-depth with many of these records, realising and understanding the blood, sweat, and tears that went into making each and every one,” he said.

“Likewise, it’s been an honour to be able to go back and listen to all of these records, rediscovering some old favourites, uncovering some new favourites, and shining a light on some of this country’s finest artists. I can only hope that everyone has much fun delving into this list as we had compiling it!”

A full 55 years of Australian musical history is appreciated. Going all the way back in time with two albums released within months of each other back in 1965, the list runs all the way through the next five-and-a-half decades, with its most recent entries being released within days of each other just last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The most common year for an album to have been released was 1991 (with eight records featured from that year), yet the average year of release was 1997. Meanwhile, a huge 27 records were produced solely in-house by the recording artists themselves (with a further three albums produced by artists who would later join the bands they worked with).

The shortlist was compiled after an exhaustive nomination process that included over 800 industry figures, journalists, producers and artists. A hand-picked group of internal staff and music experts then undertook a deliberation process, before the final list was decided upon by Rolling Stone Australia using criteria that covered the cultural and critical impact of each record.

To celebrate the issue, Rolling Stone Australia and Sonos presented a livestream countdown on December 5 hosted by Jenke, Managing Editor Poppy Reid, and triple j presenter and content creator Michael Chow. Sonos, leaders in home audio technology, powered the countdown that included hit songs from the Top 100 albums featured in the magazine.

Earlier this year, Rolling Stone Australia expanded its brand with the inaugural Sailor Jerry Rolling Stone Australia Awards, and, according to new Roy Morgan data on the national magazine market, Rolling Stone Australia reached 152,000 readers in the year to March 2021, ahead of staple Australian mastheads Golf Digest, Family Circle and Men’s Fitness.

In addition to the full list of the 200 Greatest Australian Albums, Rolling Stone Australia has also unveiled a list of over 200 albums that just missed out, with its full list of Honourable Mentions available on their website now.

Check out AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’:

Rolling Stone Australia’s 200 Greatest Australian Albums of All Time – Top Ten

1. AC/DC – Back in Black (1980)
2. INXS – Kick (1987)
3. John Farnham – Whispering Jack (1986)
4. Cold Chisel – East (1980)
5. Midnight Oil – Diesel and Dust (1987)
6. Silverchair – Frogstomp (1995)
7. Crowded House – Crowded House (1986)
8. The Avalanches – Since I Left You (2000)
9. Savage Garden – Savage Garden (1997)
10. Kylie Minogue – Fever (2001)

If you’re eager to get your hands on the latest issue of Rolling Stone Australia and to see the rest of the list in print, then now is the time to sign up for a subscription. Serving as a must-have addition to any self-respecting music fan’s collection, a cherished gift, or even some timely self-isolation reading, folks can subscribe to the quarterly magazine now.

Whether you’re just a fan of music, you’re a supporter of the local music scene, or you enjoy the thrill of print and long form journalism, then Rolling Stone Australia is exactly what you need. Click on the link below for more information regarding our subscription service.